Boreal Frontier: Open-World Forestry Simulation Game

Please read the complete description, especially the funding arrangement, before submitting a proposal.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Boreal Frontier is a realistic open-world forestry simulation game for Windows PC, developed with Unreal Engine 5.

The game will offer a true open world rather than a level-based experience. Players will be free to explore a large boreal environment, operate forestry machinery, cut and transport timber, complete jobs, manage their money, and progressively develop their forestry operation.

The project must be developed from scratch. The initial objective is not to create the complete final game, but to produce a solid and expandable prototype proving the main gameplay systems.

Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/borealfrontier/boreal-frontier

PLANNED PROTOTYPE FEATURES

The final scope will be confirmed in the GDD and divided into milestones, but the planned systems include:

- A realistic open-world boreal environment using World Partition
- Forests, dirt roads, mud, slopes, and difficult terrain
- Realistic vehicle physics, suspension, traction, weight, and the possibility of getting stuck
- Entering, exiting, and operating vehicles and forestry machinery
- Tree cutting, realistic tree falling, delimbing, and cutting logs into different lengths
- Physically simulated logs that can be moved, loaded, transported, lost, and sold
- Forestry machines, cranes, grapples, pickups, and logging vehicles
- A basic economy, contracts, progression, and interface
- Cooperative multiplayer with proper replication and server authority
- Player, vehicle, world, and economic save systems
- Optimization for Windows computers
- A project architecture that can be expanded into the complete game

IMPORTANT FUNDING ARRANGEMENT

Boreal Frontier is currently seeking financing through Kickstarter. I cannot fund the complete development before the campaign succeeds.

I am looking for a serious developer willing to first create a very small and quickly produced pre-alpha mockup at no initial cost. This is not a request for a complete free prototype.

The initial mockup only needs enough genuine in-engine gameplay to create a convincing 30–60-second Kickstarter video. Temporary or Marketplace assets may be used.

The mockup could contain:

- A small boreal forest environment
- One basic drivable vehicle
- A simple demonstration of vehicle and terrain physics
- If reasonably possible, one basic tree or physical-log interaction
- Genuine gameplay footage recorded directly inside Unreal Engine

The footage will be clearly identified as an early pre-alpha concept. The selected developer will be credited for creating the mockup. I will require written permission to publish and edit the footage for Kickstarter, social media, and Boreal Frontier promotional material.

If the Kickstarter campaign succeeds, and after the developer’s experience and technical ability have been verified, my intention is to hire the same developer for the complete paid prototype. All paid work will then be handled through funded Freelancer Milestone Payments.

If the campaign does not succeed, I must be transparent that payment and the complete development contract cannot be guaranteed. In this situation, the developer may retain ownership of the mockup and its source files.

CONDITIONS FOR THE PAID DEVELOPMENT PHASE

If financing is secured:

- A detailed scope, fixed quote, schedule, and milestone plan will be agreed upon in writing
- All payments will remain on Freelancer
- Payments will be released only after each milestone has been delivered, tested, and approved
- A shared private repository will be required from the beginning of paid development
- Every milestone must include the complete Unreal Engine project, source code, assets, licences, documentation, and a playable Windows build
- All third-party assets and plugins must be declared and properly licensed
- All project-specific intellectual property will be transferred according to the written contract
- Regular progress videos and written updates will be required

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate must have verifiable experience with:

- Unreal Engine 5
- Blueprints and C++
- World Partition and open-world optimization
- Chaos Vehicles or advanced custom vehicle physics
- Physical cargo, logs, cranes, or machinery
- Multiplayer replication and server-authoritative systems
- Save systems and persistent worlds
- Git, Perforce, or another professional version-control system

PORTFOLIO VERIFICATION

Do not provide links to famous games unless you personally worked on them.

For every project presented, clearly state:

- Your exact role
- The features you personally developed
- The studio or client
- Your credited name
- Verifiable credits, gameplay, builds, professional references, or development footage

Public links and screenshots alone will not be considered sufficient proof.

HOW TO APPLY

Begin your proposal with the words “BOREAL VERIFIED” to confirm that you read the complete description.

Please answer the following questions:

1. Do you accept the funding arrangement and understand that the small initial mockup is unpaid?
2. What could you realistically include in this small mockup?
3. How quickly could you create the mockup and gameplay footage?
4. Which relevant Unreal Engine projects have you personally developed?
5. What exactly did you create in each project?
6. Would you work independently or with a team?
7. What technical approach would you use for vehicles, physical logs, multiplayer, and saving?
8. After successful funding, what would be your estimated price, currency, and schedule for the complete prototype?
9. When are you available to begin?

Generic or automated proposals that do not answer these questions will not be considered.

I am looking for a reliable developer interested in a serious long-term collaboration and in helping Boreal Frontier become a unique and highly realistic forestry simulation.